Electric igniting device for explosive-engines.



No. 69l,498. Patenfed Ian. 2|, I902. J. m. SMITH.

ELECTRIC IGNITING DEVICE FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

(Application filed Dec. 21, 1899. (No Modl.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I WITNESSES:

INVENTOR! /w. JAM'EQ SMITH V 4 BY 8x mokay i No. 69l,498. Patented Jan. 2|, I902.

' J. M. SMITH; ELECTRIC IGNITING DEVICE FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

(Appliation filed Dec. 21, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

WH WW M M S M, S E M A J MNJITED STATES PATENT CEErcE.

JAMES M. sMrrn, or NEWARK, NEvvJERsEY, ASSIGNOR TO JESSE WAL- R Tr o RAOINE, WISCONSIN.

ELECTRIC IGNITING DEVICE FOREXPLOSlVE-ENGINES.

sPEcIFTcATIoN forming part of Letters PatentNo. 691,498, dated January 21, 1902.

Application filed December 21, 1899f fierial No. 741,087. (No mode.)

To all whont it may conccrm.

Be it known that I, JAMES M. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of'Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Explosive-Engines; andl do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the 'art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying'drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in explosive-engines in which a gas or Vapor, such as is obtained from gasolene or the like, is caused to be ignited by means of an electric spark and by expansion operates upon the piston or plunger in the cylinder, and thereby actuates the working parts of the engine.

My present invention therefore primarily consists in the novel construction of engineoylinder, a novel arrangement and combination therewith of an igniting or sparking means for exploding the gas or vapor, and a novel system of passages in the cylinder whereby provision is made for the complete expulsion of the compressed air or gas from the cylinder during the upward stroke of the piston.

. My invention, furthermore, consists in a novel igniting or sparking means for exploding the gas or vapor, the parts of said mechanism being preferably adjustable, whereby an electric spark can be produced at different positions of the piston on its return stroke, causing the exploded gas to act with greater or less expansive force against the piston, whereby the movements of the latter are regulated and the engine made to run fast or slow.

The invention consists, further, in a novel means for causing the igniting or sparking means to operate in proportion to the relative movements of the pistonthat is, whereby the piston can be made to make two (or more) complete up-and -down strokes while the igniting or sparking means is actuated only once; but of course this proportion may be or igniting spindles.

desirably varied according to existing conditions.

My invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side View of an explosive-engine to which the sparking-igniter embodying the principles of my invention is applied. Fig. 2 is a side view of a ring or collar and spring-actuated trip pawl or dog used in connectionwith the igniting or sparking mechanism, and Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the same.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on line 7 7 in Fig. 5 of a bearing for the reception of the igniting. or sparking spindles or rods, and Fig. 5 is a face view of the said bearing. Figs. 6 and 7 are two side views of the said sparking Fig. 8 is a longitudinal Vertical section of a pivoted casing and springdog, forming a portion of the said sparking origniting mechanism. Fig. 9 is anend view of the same, and Fig. 10 is a vertical crosssection taken on line 13 13 in said Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a detail sectionv of the upper portion of a rod to be connected with the parts represented in said Figs. 8, 9, and 10, representing. a bumper arrangement constructed to counteract or reduce the strain on a connecting-link of the said sparking or igniting means; and Fig. 12 is a top view of the said.

parts represented in said Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a horizontal cross-section taken on line 16 16 in Fig. 11, and Fig. 14 is a similar section taken on line 17 17 in said Fig. 11.

Similar letters of reference are employed in all of the said above-described views to indicate corresponding parts.

In the said drawings, 17 indicates the usual construction of crank-shaft,which is mounted and rotates in the usual bearings of a suitable framework or support 17 As will be seen from an inspection of Fig. 1, the top or bed portion 1) of the framework or support I) has secured thereon the explosion-cylinder Ct of the engine. The cylinder a, as will be seen from Fig. 1',has an upper flange aiupon which is secured the upper cylinder-head c, said cylinder having a lower flange a resting upon the bed portion b and secured in place by means of bolts or set-screws a, substantially as illustrated. At the back the cylinder has an exhaust-chamber (t with which is connected a suitable exhaust-pipe f, and at or near the top of the cylinder, in one side thereof, is an opening a, as illustrated more particularly in Fig. 4, and in which I have secured a bearing d, as and for the purposes to be hereinafter more fully set forth.

On its outer surface the cylinder 0. is preferaloly formed with annular ribs or projections a", of any desirable shape and number, with suitable annular depressions a between said ribs or projections, as clearly illustrated. This arrangement of the ribs or projections is to produce sufficient strength to withstand the explosive forced within the cylinder, and the intermediate depressions are for the purpose of reducing the thickness of metal of the cylinder, and thereby greatly reducing the possibility of the cylinder becoming overheated when the engine is in constant use, as will be clearly understood.

The cover a is provided with the usual form of stop-cock g or other suitable blow-off. An inlet-pipe e and an eduction-pipe f are secured in position to the sides of said head 0, substantially as shown. The said pipef" may be connected, by means of suitable fittingsf and f and the pipe f with the exhaust-pipe f, as shown. Connected with said inlet-pipe e in any well-known manner is a suitable carbureting device it, which is provided with an inlet h.

Suitably secured upon the crank-shaft bis a toothed pinion m, which is in operative mesh with a gear-wheel 'n,rotatively arranged in any Well-known manner on a pin or stud n, extending from the side of the framework or support 17 Secured upon the hub of said gear-wheel n is a collar and a collarp, which has a cam-shaped extension or teat p, as clearly indicated in dotted outline in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This teatp during the revolutions of the collar 19 actuates an arm 8, which is pivotally connected with a rod .9 for operating the usual form of exhaust or relief valve arranged within the cylinder-head c.

The cam-ringp is placed in such a manner that the exhaust-valve is opened during the upward movement of the piston of the engine, while the inlet-valve is closed, as will be clearly understood.

In order that the vaporized or carbnreted gasolene or other suitable gas after it has been properly admitted into the upper portion of the cylinder a, may be properly exploded and cause an expansive pressure upon the piston to move it downwardly, I have arranged in the bearing d, previously mentioned, a sparking or igniting device, which is properly operated and actuated from a spring-dog 0, connected with the collar 0 on the hub of the gear-wheel n.

As will be seen from Figs. 4 and 5, the bearing dis properly secured in an opening a in the side of the. upper portion of the cylinder at, having a tubular duct d and a duct d ,in which there is a collar dflof an insulating material. Operatively arranged in said duct d, so as to be capable of an oscillatory motion therein, is a sparking or igniting stem (1 said stem being preferably provided with a conical shoulder d, which fits a conical recess d in the hearing at to produce a close and positive contact. Extending into the opening a directly' back of the bearing is a part (1 of said stem d said part having a short arm or projection diwhich is preferably provided with a contact-piece d". The opposite end d of saidstein 61 extends through the said bearing cl and has secured thereto a connecting-arm it, which is connected with a connecting rod or link i, to be actuated from said springdog 0', as will hereinafter be made clear. Within said insulating-collar CF, in the duct 01 of the bearing (1, is a second stem d, said stem being held in said collar d by a shoulder c1 and one or more nuts (1 on the screw-threaded end (Z of said stem (Z The said stem (i also has a part 01 which extends into the opening a back of the bearing d and is provided with a short arm or projection d, which may be provided with a contact-piece. d" and establishes an electrical circuit with the contactpiece (i when these parts touch, as indicated in dotted outline in Fig. 1, and when an electric current is passed through a wire to, connected with the stem d by means of the nuts 61 into the stem d and then through the cylinder a, to and through a wire w from a battery or other source of electrical energy with which said wires are connected. To break the electrical contact between the contactpieces of the stems d and (1 I have snitably secured the end it of the arm a upon the end d of the stem d to cause a vibratory motion of the piece d when said arm is made to oscillate by the upward and downward movements of a rod 6, substantially as and in the manner hereinafter more fully set forth. The opposite and ring-shaped end a of said arm a is loosely arranged upon an enlargement '0 of a sleeve 7), provided with an internal screw-thread o for securing said sleeve upon the upper and screw-threaded end 25 of the link or rod 2, said end 162 of the arm it being movably but operatively supported upon said enlargement o by a loose collar v on the sleeve '0 and a nut '0 which is screwed upon an external screw-thread upon the upper portion of said sleeve '0 and against the resiliency of a coiled spring 11 which surrounds said sleeve "a, and is held in position by said collar o and said nut '12, as clearly illustrated in the several figures of the drawings. The lower end of said rod or link is provided with a shoe i or other suitable means provided with a screw or pin 15 for pivotally connecting said end of the rod twith a box or casing 09, having a tubular hub or bearing portion w for pivotally arranging said box or casing upon a pin or stud 2, extending from the side of the frame portion or support b Said box or casing is held in its normal position (indicated in Fig. 1) by a split collar l A. a

y, secured on the hub of said box, said collar having an arm g and a spring, as 'y', connected therewith and with the support b for normally forcing said arm g against a pin or projection 0, as clearly indicated. Said box or casing 00 is preferably of a rectangular shape and hassecured upon its open top and extending down one end thereof a cover 00 which is provided in its downwardly-extending end piece 411 with a hole as. Said cover may also be provided with a recess :0 Slidably arranged within said box or casing m is a lift-dog 0a and a rod or stem 01?, connected therewith, said dog m extending at its end 00 from the open end of the box or casing 00 and a screw-threaded end cc of the rod or stem 00, projecting through the hole :6 On said screw end of the rod or stem 00" is a fingerpiece a2 9, movably arranged thereon for proper adjustment of the end 0: of the lift-dog 00 from the casing :0 against the action of a coiled spring a, encircling the stem m within the box or casing 00, as shown in Fig. 8. The said fingerpiece 00 may also be provided with a rearwardlyextending pin which can be made to project into said recess m or against the outer surface of the end piece 00 whereby the free end x of the liftdog :0 can be quickly brought closer toward or farther away from the central vertical axial line of the cylinder a without first manipulating the finger-piece 00 In this manner when the parts of the machine move in the direction of the arrowin Fig.1, the spring-dog 0 of the collar ocan be brought in quicker or slower lifting engagement with th'elift-dog 00, whereby the respective contact-pieces of the stems d and c1 may be made to break electrical contact while the piston is still some distance from the upper part of the cylinder a or when the piston has nearly reached the top of the cylinder, as might be the case, according to the position of the said pin 00 Thus an electric spark may be caused sooner or later by the breaking of the circuit-contacts and the piston-rod will make slower or faster revolutions, whereby the speed of the engine is varied at will. and all owing to the earlier or later explosion of'the gas in the upper portion of the cylinder at.

As shown in the several figures of the drawings, the lifting-dog 0 has a flat surface 0 which is brought against the flat surfaceof the end a of the lift-dog 00 a spring 0 being employed to at all times retain said dog 0 in its operative position for engagement with the end of the dog as. In case of any backward movement of the dog 0 the spring 0 will permit the dog 0' to slide over the beveled part of the end 00 of the lift-dog x without actuating the rod t, and hence there will be no accidental actuation of the sparkingigniter, as will be clearly evident.

The operations of the several mechanism will be clearly evident from the accompanying drawings and the above description, the pinion m and gear n being constructed in the proportion of two to one, so that the pinion m makes two revolutions to one of the gear 11., whereby the gas is exploded only during each second return of the piston; but of course it will be understood that said gears may be of the same diameters or the proportions of the same may be varied from that herein set forth.

The operation of the engine in general is as follows: During the first downstroke of the piston the latter draws a charge of air into the cylinder. At the'same time the air is being drawn into the cylinder a small amount of gasolene is being admitted through the vaporizer or carbureter into the inductionvalve. On the upstroke of the piston the gas formed is compressed in the top of the cylinder, and when the piston is near the end of the upstroke this charge is ignited by the electric spark and the piston is driven down by the force of the expanding gas. When the piston is near the end of its downstroke,

owing to the general arrangement of the several mechanism, the exhaust-valve is opened and remains open until the end of the upstroke, expelling all burned gases. This is repeated during every second revolution,owing to the ratio of the gears m and n, hereinabove mentioned.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In an explosive-engine, the combination with the igniter mechanism, of a pivoted arm having its movable end operatively connected with said igniter mechanism, an igniteroperating cam, an adjustable part having a sliding engagement with said arm, adapted to engage said cam, and means for securing said part at different longitudinal positions on said arm, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In an explosive-gas engine, the combination, with a cylinder, crank-shaft, and piston, of a bearing device in one side of the cylinder, having tubular openings, a fixed or stationary igniting-stem in one of said openings, but insulated from said bearing, an oscillatory igniting-stem in the other' of said openings in said bearing, contact-pieces connected with said stems, and means connected with said oscillatory igniting-stem for producing.a rock motion of the same, consisting, essentially, of an arm or lever 11. having one end attached to the free end of said oscillatory stem, a downwardly-extending rod or link t, with which the opposite end of said arm or lever to is operatively connected, an oscillatory casing to which the lower end of said rod or link tis attached, a spring-actuated lift-dog slidably arranged in said casing having a portion extending therefrom, and means operated from the crank-shaft and engaging with said lift-dog for actuating said oscillatory igniting-stem,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In an explosive-gas engine, the combination, with a cylinder, crank-shaft, and piston, of a bearing device in one side of the cylinder, having tubular openings, a fixed or stationary igniting-stem in one of said openings, but insulated from said bearing, an oscillatory igniting-stem in the other of said openings in said bearing, contact-pieces connected with said stems, and means connected with said oscillatory igniting-stem for prod ucing arock motion of the same, consisting, essentially, of an arm or lever it having one end attached to the free end of said oscillatory stem, a downWardly-extending rod or link i, with which the opposite end of said arm or lever u is operatively connected, an oscillatory casing to which the lower end of said rod or link t is attached, a spring-actuated lift-dog slidably arranged in said casing having aportion extending therefrom, and means operated from the crank-shaft and engaging with said lift-dog for actuating said oscilla toryigniting-stem, consisting of a collar 0 and a spring-dog connected with said collar, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In an explosive-gas engine, the combination, with a cylinder, crankshaft, and piston, of a bearing device in one side of the cylinder, having tubular openings, a fixed or stationaryigniting-stem in one of said openings, but insulated from said bearing, an oscillatory igniting-stem in the other of said openings in said bearing, contact-pieces connected with said stems, and means connected with said oscillatory igniting-stem for producing a rock motion of the same, consisting, essentially, of an arm or lever it having one end attached to the free end of said oscillatory stem, a downwardly-extending rod or link 2, with which the opposite end of said arm or lever to is operatively connected, an oscillatory casing to which the lower end of said rod or link If is attached, a spring-actuated.

lift-dog slidably arranged in said casing havingaportion extending therefrom, and means operated from the crank-shaft and engaging with said lift-dog for actuating said oscillatory igniting-stem, consisting, of a set of gears operated from the crank-shaft, a collar 0 on the hub of one of said gears, and a springdog connected with said collar, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In an explosive-gas engine, the combination, with a frame or support, a cylinder, crank-shaft, and piston, of a'box or casingx pivotally connected with said frame or support, a lift-dog slidably arranged in said box or casing, having one end extending therefrom, a lifting means arranged to be brought in operative engagement with the free end of said lift-dog, an igniting or sparking device connected with said cylinder, and an op erative connecting means between said igniting or sparking device and said box or casing at, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In an explosive-gas engine the combination, with a frame or support, a cylinder, crank-shaft, and piston, of a box or casing cc pivotally connected with said frame or support, a lift dog slidably arranged in said box or casing, having one end extending therefrom, a lifting means arranged to be brought in operative engagement With the free end of said lift-dog, an igniting or sparking device connected with said cylinder ,"consisting, essentially of a bearing device in one side of the cylinder, having tubular openings, a fixed or stationary igniting-stem in one of said openings, but insulated from said bearing,

an oscillatory igniting-stem in the other of said openings in said bearing, contact-pieces connected with said stems and means connected with said oscillatory igniting'stem for producing a rock motion of the same, consist- -ing,.essentially, of an arm it having one end attached to the free end of said oscillatory stem, a downwardly-extending rod or link t, with which the opposite end of said arm or lever it is operati vely connected, and said rod or link 25 having its lower end pivotally connected with said box or casing 00, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In an explosive-gas engine, the combination, with a frame or support, a cylinder, crank-shaft, and piston, of a box or casing m pivotally connected with said frame or sup port, a lift-dog slidably arranged in said box orcasing,havingalifting end extendingtherefrom, a lifting means arranged to be brought in operative engagement with the said lifting end of said lift-dog, a screw-threaded rod connected with said dog extending from the opposite end of said box or casing 00, a fingerpiece on said rod and an adjusting pin or stem on said finger-piece for varying the degree of extension of said lift-dog from said box or casing, an igniting or sparking device connected with said cylinder, and an operative connecting means between said igniting or sparking device and said box or casing :12, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In an explosive-gas engine, the combination, with a frame or support, a cylinder, crank-shaft, and piston, of-a box or casing {Z3 pivotally connected with said frame or support, a lift'dog slidably arranged in said box or casing,havingalifting end extendingtherefrom, a lifting means arranged to be brought in operative engagement with the said lifting end of said lift-dog, a screw-threaded rod connected with said dog extending from the op posite end of said box or casing 90, a fingerpiece on said rod and an adjusting pin or stem on said finger-piecefor varying. the degree of extension of said lift-dog from said box or casing, an igniting or sparking device connected with said cylinder, consisting, essentially, of a bearing device in one side of the cylinder, having tubular openings, a fixed or stationary igniting-stem in one of said openings, but insulated from said bearing, an oscillatory igniting-stem in the other of said openings in said bearing, contact-pieces connected with said stems, and means connected with said oscillatory igniting-stem for proed with said box or casing 50, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. In an explosivegas engine, the combination, with igniting or sparking means, and a connecting arm or lever u, of a rod or link 6 having a screw end i, a sleeve 1) on 'said screw end, provided with an enlargement o forming a support for a ring-shaped end of said arm or lever to, a nut '0 on the upper end of said sleeve, and a collar 12 on said sleeve, above the ring-shaped end of said arm or lever u, and a spring encircling said sleeve '1) between said nut and collar on said sleeve, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

10. In an explosive-gas engine, the combination, with igniting or sparking means, and a connecting arm or lever, to, of a rod or link 6 having a screw end if, a sleeve v on said screw end, provided with an enlargement 12 forming a support for a ring-shaped end of said arm or lever u, a nut e on. the upper end of said sleeve, a collar 01 on said sleeve, above the ring-shaped end of said arm or lever u, a spring encircling said sleeve 4) between said nut and collar on said sleeve, and a box or casingw with which the lower end of said rod or link 25 is pivotally connected, a lift-dog slidably arranged in said box or casing, having a lifting end extending therefrom, and a lift means arranged to be brought in operative engagement with the said lifting end of said lift-dog, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

11. In an explosive-gas engine, the combination, with igniting or sparking means, and a connecting arm or lever, u, of a rod or link 25 having a screw end 25', a sleeve 1; on said screw end, provided with an enlargement 12 forming a support for a ring-shaped end of said arm or lever u, a nut '0 on the upper end of said sleeve, a collar 12 on said sleeve, above the ring-shaped end of said arm or lever u, a spring encircling said sleeve v between said nut and collar on said sleeve, and a box or casing m with which the lever end of said rod or linkt is pivotally connected,a lift-dog slidably arranged in said box or casing, having a lifting end extending therefrom, and a lift means arranged to be brought in operative engagement with the said lifting end of said lift-dog, a screw-threaded rod connected with said dog extending from the opposite end of said box or casing 50,? finger-piece on said rod, and an adjusting pin or stem on said finger-piece for varying the degree of extension of said lift-dog from said box or casing as, substantially as and for the purposes setforth. In testimony that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of December, 1899.

' JAMES M. SMITH.

Witnesses:

FREDK. O. FRAENTZEL, WM. 0. SMITH. 

